Gifting the Alien Experience

Abstract

Chapter 3 identifies the presence of fan practices surrounding Alien, looking particularly at the context of families and how the curation of the Alien film-watching experience can be identifed as a fannish practice. Situating this activity within the concept of fan giftt economies, the chapter charts the experience of participants whose foreknowledge and frst viewings of the film were infuenced by their family. Identifying key trends within these responses, the chapter moves on to discuss the way in which familial relationships are informed by watching Alien together. It is argued that the experience of the film, rather than the text itself, is framed by families as a ‘gift’ – something to be savoured, treasured, and enjoyed